Cloth dyeing machine



Dec. 3, 1946. H. c. WOLFENDEN CLOTH DYEING MACHINE Filed Sept. 18, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 CLOTH DYEI NG MACHINE Filed Sept. 18, 1941* 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 PatentedDec. 3, 1946 UNITED STATE T PATENT OFFICE 2,412,188 CLOTH DYEING mourns Harry 0. Wolfenden, Attleboro, Mass. Application September 18, 1941, Serial No. 411,415

My present invention is a novel and improved machine for dyeing cloth, yard or piece goods in various lengths or bolts.

In my development of improved dyeing apparatus, such for example as is illustrated in my prior and copending application Ser. No. 341,675, filed June 21, 1940, now Patent 2,292,811, Aug. 11, 1942, I have devised new and improved methods of dyeing and handling yarn and the like in a substantially closed receptacle, with a pump operating to produce a continuous circulation, and with means for effecting a constant agitation or bubbling thru the dyeing liquid, thus keeping the dyeing liquid uniformly mixed by reason of the turbulence caused by the bubbling action.

Furthermore, I utilize pre-heated vapors, gases, steam, and the like from the upper part. of the closed receptacle, which are supplied to the lower part to effect the bubbling and agitation, thus preserving the temperature and saving greatly in the supply of heat or steam ordinarily required.

My present invention is directed particularly to handling various lengths of cloth or such textile material. Furthermore, I have devised novel and improved methods of adding fresh supplies of dyeing liquid from time to time by utilizing a portion'of the dye already in the receptacle and during the continuous operation of the apparatus and while still operating as a closed receptacle.

This latter feature, viz., utilizing the liquid already in use for heating fresh supplies of dyes and chemicals is of particular importance, effecting a uniformity in the fresh dye supplied from time to time which, in my opinion, advantage.

In carrying out my present invention, an apparatus of any suitable size or dimension to'take a commercial length of yardor piece-goods, or other textile material to be treated, is provided with means for automatically rotating the cloth within a closed receptacle, together with liquidsupplying devices, heating devices such as steam pipes or the like, andcirculating means which will serve to withdraw the gases from the upper part of the receptacle and supply the same in the bottom portion under sufficient pressure to cause a bubbling agitation of the entire mass of liquid, all during the dyeing action and while the cloth run therethru.

I also provide mechanism to readily feed in and feed out the cloth beforeand after being treated so as to handle the same with speed and facility.

is a distinct heated vapors and.-

is being continuously 1 Claim. (Cl. 68 177) I also provide novel means to enable a fresh supply of dyeing liquor to be added to the closed receptacle which is mixed in a chamber adjacent to the closed receptacle. In addition to this, I provide means for drawing some of the old liquor from the closed receptacle into the mixing chamber to be used with the new liquor which insures a more uniform admixture of the fresh supply when it is forced into the interior of the receptacle so that it will intermingle and mix more efliciently with the -mass of liquid within the apparatus. Facilities are also arranged for -preheating this new supply, if necessary, before pumping into the closed receptacle.

Referring to the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus viewing the same from the operators left;

Fig, 2'is a side elevational view of the apparatus from the operators right;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

As shown in the drawings, a receptacle of wood or other suitable material, comprising a bottom portion I, sides 2-2, front 3, and back l is shown,

- the interior of the receptacle thus formed being provided with a metallic lining 5, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This lining 5 is fitted closely adjacent the interior of the receptacle, except that it is in the form of a curved section between the rear part of the bottom I and back 4, as indicated at 6, to facilitate the feeding and sliding of the material being treated during the dyeing operation, as will be further explained. The cover I is adapted to constitute a relatively tight top for the receptacle and for this purpose may be hinged as shown at l2--I2 (Fig. 2) either back or at one side, and a rubber gasket ll, or the like, is supplied on which the cover In rests.

A handle l5 will facilitate opening of the cover "I and closing it, when desired. The metallic lining 5 may be of stainless steel and, preferably, is of 'a metal which will not be affected by the liquid contained within the apparatus. While any lining material may be suilicient, provided it does not discolor the dye or aflect the dyeing operation, I find that stainless steel is best suited for this purpose.

Platforms IS on the left and 11 on the right of the apparatus are provided for the convenience of the operator, as the height of the sides 2 is considerable and it is necessary to inspect and clean the interior when the cover It is lifted, as

treated. In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a length of cloth 20 'to be treated, which is led over the cross-rods 2| of a pair of rotatable barrel reels, which may have ply of steam, as desired, and after the interior temperature of the receptacle and the liquid concave covering to help eliminate cloth-tangling. each comprising an axle 22 and a pair of.

discs 23, the rods 2i extending between said discs and the axles extending outside two bearings 30, 1

as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The cloth .20 is led in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 4, and accumulates in folds 25 along the inclined part 9 of the lining '5 and along the bottom part, and this colth is kept in continuous movement by the rota-, tion of the barrel reels, with concave covering, 22 and 23 and by joining the ends by lacings or other fastenings as indicated at 21. To rotate the reels 22 and 23, the axles extend thru the outside and beyond the bearings of the receptacle, see Fig. 2, and each is provided with a sprocket wheel -3| around which a sprocket chain 33 is led from a motor-driven wheel 34, whereby actuation by a motor 40 thru a reduction gear 35 acts to rotate the sprocket chain and, hence, the barrel reels operate in unison.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the motor 40 is mounted on a bracket 39 on the right side of the apparatus therein has been brought to the proper degree 01' heat, the steam may be shut oil. by operating the I valve 09.

' I may provide an automatic steam control and indicator to eliminate the use of the manual valve shutoff 69 by means of a branch or bypass I0 with an automatic governor designated generally at II, having an indicator I2 and a handle I3 to adjust the same to the degree of temperature desired, which, when setwill automatically control theinle't and shutoff of the steam supply, this being a well-known standard steam governor.

I also provide a branch 80 from the steam inlet conduit 65 controlled by a valve 8|, which extends downwardly alongside the receptacle into a dyemixing tank 82, so that when additional supplies from the position of the operator and the axle 36 to the reduction gear is also mounted on said bracket and may be thrown into or out of operation, as desired, bythe operator from a switchboard {H at the front of the apparatus.

I divide the interior. of the receptacle by a perforated metal screen 44, having a series of,

openings therethru as indicated at 4648 extending throughout the entire width and substantially to the height of the interior of the receptacle at the'front end, and with a curved top portion'48 to protect the cloth 20 from the heating, steam, supply and circulating pipes which are positioned between the screen 44 and the front of the apparatus, the curved part 48 also protecting the cloth 20 when it is fed into and out of the interior, as will be further explained.

Suitable dye is supplied within the receptacle at approximately the level indicated at 50, although of course this level may be raised or lowered as desired.

An overflow pipe Si is fitted at any convenient point, preferably at the front of the apparatus as shown, with its outlet slightly above the normal desired level 50, and a drain pipe (not' shown) may be fitted at the bottom of the re-,

ceptacle. At the front of the apparatus I fit a pair of brackets 55 spaced at each side of the width of the receptacle and extending outwardly to carry a rotatable takeaway roll, each comprising an axle 56 and guard 51, between which guards are rods 58.

This stick is rotated by a belt 60 from a pulley 59 on the outside of one end of the shaft, as shown in Fig. 2, the other end of the belt being fitted around a pulley BI on the axle 22 of the for-v wardly .positioned rotatable roll within the -receptacle and thus securing its rotatable power Steam for heating is supplied from any suitable source of power thru a conduit 95 extending thru the side wall of the receptacle and downwardly,

of newdyeing liquid are to be supplied, the same may be mixed in a tank '82 heated by the steam supply thru manipulation of the valve BI, and then'be pumped into the interior of the receptacle. v V

For this purpose an outlet from the tank 44 is fitted, as indicated at 85, which is preferably fitted underneath the tank 82, said tank being raised slightly by brackets 84-434 holding the tank on the platform H, see Figs. 1 and 3. From the conduit 85, a branch pipe 86 leads to a pump 88, which in turn, by a pipe 89 thru a two-way valve I90 and a further pipe 9I, extends into the interior of the receptacle and downwardly thru the conduit 92 to a crosshead 93 near the bottom of the tank between the screen 44 and the end, said crosshead being perforated at 95,,Fig. 3.

The pump 88 is operated in either direction by a reversible motor 96, turning a pulley 91 and belt 98, which latter is led around a pulley I00 operating the pump 88. A two-way valve IN is fitted, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the operation of the pump 88 may be either to pump the contents of the tank 82 thru the pipes 85, 38, 89, 9|, and 92 into. the receptacle, or by reversing the motor to pump the contents of the receptacle tank 82, thus filling or partly filling the tank 82 v and getting a, heated mixture with the new supply for more uniform and continuous liquid dye after thegeneral scheme of a regenerative process. A valve I90 is fitted in the conduit with a short pipe I06 therefrom to discharge into the regenerative mixing tank 32, to divert a predetermined amount of the liquid dye during the liquid circulating operation, for testing or mixing, if desired.

Furthermore, I can utilize the pump 88 to effect a circulation directly within the receptacle itself.

For this purpose, I provide a pipe I03 leading from the valve IOI into the interior of'the receptacle thruan opening I05, which thus enables me to utilize the pump 88 to draw out liquid dye from the interior of the receptacle thru the openings in the crosshead 93 and'thence thru the pipes 92, 8|, 89, valve IN and pipe I03 back into the receptacle thru the opening I 05.

I may also utilize this opening I05 as an additional outlet by providing an elbow andconduit above the level of the opening I05, as indicated at I60 and downwardly thru the discharge pipe I04. Ifthis method of overflow is utilized, I would probably eliminate the overflow pipe 0| or would have to have this outlet at substantially the height of the pipe I06.

Thus it will be seen that I can utilize the pump 88 with an appropriate turning of the valves I and IN and reversal of the pump to either pump the contents of the mixing and new supply tank 82 directly into the receptacle, or to eflect a partial filling of the tank 82 by way of the pipe I06, or to pump the contents of the tank 82 into the receptacle or efiect a circulation thru the receptacle of the liquid dye already therein.

Hot and cold water may be supplied, respectively, thru a pipe I40 for hot water, and III for cold, into a union I42 and thence into the inlet I43 in the rear wall of the receptacle, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4.

'Also, hot and cold water could be arranged to supply the same into the tank 82, conduits I45 and I46 being illustrated for this purpose from any suitable source of supply, with valves I41 and I48, respectively, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

- I may also desire to apply a clock I50 at the front of the machine, as shown in Fig. 1, for convenience of the operator in keeping track of the dyeing operations.

I prefer to utilize means which will automatically draw the vapors in the receptacle and above the level 50 of the dyeing llquidand supply the same under pressure to the bottom of the receptacle, thus producing a constant agitation, bubbling, or turbulence within the liquid to keep the same in proper admixture and condition, affording a more uniform dyeing action on the cloth.

For this purpose I arranged a perforated pipe I20 having a series of perforations I2I arranged therethru which is positioned substantially as shown in Fig. 3, and leads outside the receptacle thru a pipe I22, pump I23, and thence thru a return conduit I24 back into the receptacle and I3I or any other connection desired, so that" vapors or steam from the upper part of the receptacle will be drawn thru the pipe I20 and forced by the pump I23 backwardly thru the pipe I25 and backwardly to the bottom of the receptacle, where the preheated vapors will thus be supplied at the bottom of the liquid dye thru the operation of the motor I30 or by any other suitable source of power.

Thus, the dye is kept in constant agitation by preheated means operating in a closed circuit, which thereby enables the steam to be shut off from the interior of the receptacle for relatively long lengths of time, while still maintaining the interior in proper heated condition and simultaneously supplying the bubbling, or agitation desired.

When the cover I0 is opened, the cloth 20 can be threaded into the receptacle over the rotatable reels 23-23, with the ends Joined together at 21; the cover then closed, and the mechanism started. Freshdye can be supplied from time to time thru the mixing tank 82 and can be both preheated and premixed by a supply or charge from liquid contained within the receptacle, as above explained.

After the proper length of time for the dyeing operation, the cover I0 is then lifted and the end of the cloth 2'! located by continuing the rotation of the reels 23 until such end 21 is then reached; whereupon the lacing or other means uniting the two ends is severed and this end conducted up over the rounded comer 48 of the screen, and to the rotating roll on the axle 50 held by the brackets 55 along the dotted line I33, Fig.4. 7

Thus, my improved apparatus is efficiently operated, conserving heat, saving time, penetrating the fabrics more thoroughly and uniformly, having the advantage of tending to create a partial vacuum, plusthe fact that the machine is totally enclosed the greater part of the time, eliminating the steam getting into the building, which is most detrimental to the construction of same, causing excessive rotting anddeterioration which has always been a serious factor in dyehouse construction.

I claim:

Apparatus of the kind described for dyeing cloth and the like sheet articles, comprising a closed pressure-tight receptacle adapted to hold a mass of dyeing liquid therein, partially filling said receptacle, rotatable means within said receptacle adapted to carry and move articles to be treated in-a predetermined direction therein, a curved support for said articles between. the rotatable feeding means adapted to receive said articles on the upper part of the curved contour of said support in the line of feed, said curved support being below the normal level of liquid within the receptacle, the progressive feeding action removing the articles from the lower portion of said curved support, heating means outside the receptacle extending into the inner por-.

tion adapted to supply heat to said dyeing liquid,

a conduit leading within the receptacle from,

maintaining said receptacle closed in pressuretight condition and during the continuous movement of articles being treated within said receptacle, whereby a regenerative process of supply of fresh-dyeing liquid is intermittently effected without interrupting the dyeing operations.

HARRY C. WOLF'ENDEN. 

